Visibility at Pocono Mountains airport before the helicopter went down was 1/4 mile in fog and light rain. The helicopter left Somerset Airport near Somerville, N.J., on Tuesday and flew to Elmira. The aircraft left Elmira after dropping off one passenger and headed for Morristown Municipal Airport in Whippany, N.J.

Trish Ellsworth said her husband was also a close friend of Steven Bradley Mell, who is listed as head of the leasing company to which the helicopter is registered. Mell is also president of W.H. Mell Associates, where Barral is employed.

William Ellsworth loved to fly helicopters, his wife said, and although he was licensed to fly them commercially, he piloted the Mell aircraft simply for the opportunity to fly it.

"As everyone has said to me, he was one of the most amazing pilots they've ever met. And one of the safest pilots," Trish Ellsworth said.

William Ellsworth earned his pilot's license when he was 16, spurred on by a grandfather and uncle who were recreational pilots. He flew for American Airlines for about 20 years after a stint with Pan Am, his wife said.

Barral was taken first to Pocono Medical Center and later to Lehigh Valley Hospital because of the severity of his injuries. No information on his condition was available Friday.